After close examination of the 12.3-megapixel D90, it is plain to see that Nikon have cleverly created what is essentially a blend of the most well-received and comprehensible technologies, features, and interface design from their large array of consumer and professional DSLRs, to produce an exceptional prosumer model with a ‘world first’ gong to its name.

One of the D90’s most notable selling features, aside from its outstanding image quality, is undoubtedly its world first ability as a DSLR to produce high definition movie files resulting in what Nikon describe as ‘genuinely cinematic’ movie clips.

Three frame sizes are available for recording in D-Movie mode: 1280x720 (16:9) for highest quality widescreen movies suitable for plasma and LCD TV viewing, the default 640x424 (3:2) for standard viewing, and 320x216 (3:2) for reduced movie file size.

Users can elect whether or not to record with sound and movies up to 2 GB can be recorded at a time with the maximum length at 16:9 being five minutes and up to 20 minutes for movies recorded at either of the 3:2 settings.

Thanks to the D90’s large 23.6 x 15.8mm DX-format CMOS image sensor, movies suffer far less noise than a standard hand-held camcorder, especially in low-light situations where noise is otherwise a typical side effect.

Having said that, the D90’s movie mode is unlikely to replace the camcorder entirely as much as it enhances Nikon’s repertoire and encourages their competitors to do the same.

The inclusion of movie mode in this ‘prosumer-aimed’ DSLR (e.g. best-suited for those no longer at the point-and-shoot end of the spectrum as a ‘consumer,’ nor a full-time ‘professional’ photographer) also expands the possibilities of still photography into the audiovisual realm, thus encouraging prosumers to push their creativity and ability further still.

Movie mode of course, also means that you can capture snippets of footage from your daily-life or travels that will help you re-live the sounds and movements of your experience far better than still photography sometimes can.

The single foreseeable downfall may simply be that the presence of movie mode may create a dilemma for the photographer in whether the moment presented best calls for stills or video footage, and it is important to consider then what may be lost, or indeed enhanced, as a result of movie mode being selected ahead of still photography.

For those enthusiasts who intend to travel or do so often, the D90 is a worthy contender for your dollar given its versatile kit lens, the Nikkor AFS 18-105mm F 3.5-5.6G, which offers wide angle right through to mid-level telephoto capacity and will satisfy an extensive variety of shooting situations.

The inclusion of vibration reduction technology also means that anomalies resulting from camera shake are significantly reduced.

Having an extended zoom capacity however does mean having a physically longer lens, which may not suit those looking for a more compact, lightweight unit.

The high-resolution 920k-dot LCD presents a clear, bright display with a 170-degree viewing angle, and the internal menu system exhibits well on-screen in its logically assembled state and is therefore easy to navigate both through and around.

The D90 has the same 12.3-megapixels as the D300 and maintains the high standard of design from right across the Nikon DSLR range that helps to maximise comfort, sturdiness, and efficiency when shooting.

Live view offers the photographer the option of composing and shooting via the live preview displayed on the LCD, proving useful for shooting overhead or at the hip etc. A flip-out, rotating screen would make this process even easier and will no-doubt be an inclusion in future Nikon models.

Auto focus calls for patience as it can take between three and five seconds to settle in live view mode, so unless you are controlling or directing the subject/s or shooting still life, it may be difficult to catch the decisive moment.

As well as taking a few seconds to focus in live view, the AF function is mechanically quite noisy as it shifts back and forth. This process (along with movie mode generally) chews through power much quicker than when regular shooting modes, making it is advisable to have a second battery on hand if these features become favourites, which is likely.

Face priority AF is also available in live view mode and will automatically focus on up to five faces at a time, ‘locking’ on and following them within the frame.

As a result of its 420-pixel matrix metering system, the D90 then combines AF data and colour metering information to better adjust exposure and white balance in order to achieve the best possible results for portraits.

For a DSLR in its range, the D90 offers a speedy 4.5 frames per second of continuous shooting - as opposed to the typical 3fps - and shares the same ISO sensitivity as its higher-priced cousin, the D300, ranging from ISO 200 through to 3200.

Additionally, three high and three low ISO steps are available, further pushing the range right down to 100 and up to 6400.

As well as a HDMI port for direct connection to high definition televisions, the D90 has a connection available for the optional GP-1 accessory, which enables global positioning information (location, altitude, time etc.) to be stored within the metadata and referred to at a later date if required.

This optional accessory will cost approximately $400-$500 and would best suit travellers and landscape photographers who may want to revisit certain locations at an alternative time.

For those who enjoy strong contrast and vivid colours, the accurate colour reproduction described may read as somewhat ‘flat’ to your eye, in which case switch to the supplied picture control setting ‘vivid’ for punchier primary colours and what Nikon call a ‘photoprint’ effect.

Active D-lighting is available to further help preserve detail in the highlights and shadows and bridge the gap between them to reproduce more natural-looking contrast.

Preset modes for macro, landscapes, sports and portraits are additional options and a no flash mode is selectable when wanting to shoot with automatic settings but without automatic flash fire.

Auto and program shooting modes are available for those still mastering the finer technical details of photography and for those already there, full manual mode, aperture and shutter priority modes are accessible via the main command dial as well.

Overall, this camera is comfortable to handle and straightforward to use (given the appropriate level of DSLR knowledge) with stunning image quality making it well worth the RRP $1,549 investment.

The D90 is a genuinely well-crafted DSLR from Nikon that covers all of the bases that a mid-range unit should, as well as providing a host of additional features and controls that are well and truly pushing the D90 towards semi-professional territory.

About Nikon

The history of Nikon dates back to 1917 when three of Japan's leading
optical manufacturers merged to form a fully integrated optical
company. By the end of the century Nikon would have accumulated an
immense poll of know-how and experience to become a world leader in not
only optics and imaging but also industrial equipment and health and
medicine sector.

Today Nikon designs, develops, manufactures and markets a gamut of
optical, photographic and optoelectronic products globally. You will
find them at work in virtually every corner of the earth. If it has
something to do with light, Nikon has something to do with it.

The driving force behind Nikon is technology. Not only in manufacturing
and assembling the finest lenses or most comprehensive photography
system in the world, but also in making the glass itself. That is why
Nikon products have gained worldwide customer satisfaction, and even
professional recognition worldwide.